BERLIN / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. After entering German airspace, the presidential plane was escorted by military aircraft. On arrival, Sheikh Mohamed was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This marks the first time a UAE president has undertaken a formal state visit to Germany. During his stay, Sheikh Mohamed will meet with top German political leaders as part of a structured program in Berlin.
Sheikh Mohamed is accompanied by senior UAE officials responsible for foreign relations, trade, industry, defense, national security, and advanced technology. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber. Also present are Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh. Presidential advisers along with other senior officials are part of the entourage as both nations prepare for high-level economic and political discussions.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at Villa Borsig on Thursday. Their discussion will include bilateral talks between the two presidents as well as exchanges involving their respective delegations. Later, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Sheikh Mohamed at the Federal Chancellery. The official agenda covers bilateral economic cooperation, the strategic partnership, regional peace, and stability. Additionally, regional and international issues will also feature prominently in the official schedule for the visit.
Trade and Industry as Central Themes in High-Level Talks
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Germany were established in 1972, and in 2004, the two nations signed a strategic partnership agreement. This relationship encompasses political dialogue, investments, trade, and cooperation across multiple sectors. According to figures released before the visit, bilateral trade was estimated at about 13.6 billion euros in 2025. This figure represented an approximate 15% increase from the previous year. Currently, roughly 2,000 German companies operate within the UAE, illustrating the strong commercial connections between the two countries.
Energy and technology sectors also play significant roles in the relationship. Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar holds a 49% stake in Germany’s Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm. This 476-megawatt project became fully operational in July 2025 and can supply electricity to approximately 475,000 homes. Furthermore, ADNOC and German energy firm RWE agreed in February to explore opportunities related to liquefied natural gas supply for Germany and other European markets.
Recent High-Level Exchanges Support Berlin Visit
Steinmeier’s program includes formal negotiations with Sheikh Mohamed before discussions continue with delegations from both sides. The German president will also host a state banquet for the UAE leader on Thursday evening. Later in the day, Merz is scheduled to meet Sheikh Mohamed at the Chancellery. The German government emphasizes strengthening economic relations and advancing the broader strategic partnership. These meetings will focus on trade, investment, and regional issues, placing particular importance on bilateral cooperation.
The state visit comes after Merz’s trip to the Gulf region in February, where he met Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi. Their latest encounter continues the ongoing direct engagement between the UAE and German leadership. Sheikh Mohamed previously visited Germany in 2019 as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which he met Steinmeier and other officials. His current visit marks his first official state visit to Germany since assuming the presidency of the United Arab Emirates.